Savor Avoyelles Parish
End-of-summer and fall are a wonderful time to experience Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana! From church and school fairs and live music to Bunkie Trade Days, Halloween fun, local food, and seasonal events, there are plenty of reasons to visit.
In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Travel Avoyelles" podcast, host Lisa D. Smith talks with Wilbert Carmouche and Mary Guillory of the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism about what's happening throughout Avoyelles Parish as summer winds down and fall begins.
They talk about upcoming fairs, community events, live Cajun and Zydeco music, Halloween celebrations, shopping, art, food, and local traditions—including the church and school fairs that bring communities together throughout the fall.
You'll also hear about some of the food that makes Avoyelles special, from gumbo and jambalaya to homemade cakes, cochon de lait, locally grown produce, sweet potatoes, and those wonderful fair plate lunches.
Enjoy the podcast below, or listen/download the audio version on Podbean.
Episode Highlights
1. What’s New at Paragon Casino & Resort
Meet Winter & Snow: Paragon Casino Resort is home to two rare white alligators with pink eyes—Winter and Snow (translated from Tunica)! They are currently adjusting to their new exhibit near the movie theater.
Live Entertainment Lineup: Enjoy an impressive roster of upcoming shows, including:
Aug 22: Free Zydeco Show featuring Travis Matte & The Kingpins (6 PM – 9 PM)
Late August: Aretha Franklin & Lionel Richie Tribute Show
Sept 5: Country star Craig Morgan in concert
Sept 19: Boots and Blues concert
Oct 24: The adult Halloween favorite, Monster Ball
Griffin’s Antiques on the Jefferson Highway in Bunkie, Louisiana
2. Fall Community Events & Shopping in Bunkie
Bunkie Trade Days (Oct 3): Kicking off at 7:00 AM around the historic Depot, featuring local artisans, vendors, jams, jellies, crafts, and food trucks.
Classic Retro Vibe: Explore downtown Bunkie’s historic depot, Hoover’s Five and Dime for nostalgic retro candies, and the Palace Farmers Market.
Chef Roy at La Petite Affaire Café in Marksville
3. Farm-to-Table Culinary Highlights
Chef Roy’s Sunday Brunches: Chef Roy at La Petite Affaire Café in Marksville is now serving Sunday brunches featuring locally sourced ingredients paired with Louisiana wines.
Garden-to-Table Tasting: Chef Roy is hosting a special tasting event at the Cottonport Historical Museum, utilizing fresh produce harvested straight from Unity Park Community Garden.
Church & School Fair Season in Avoyelles Parish
4. Church & School Fair Season
A Local Tradition: Fall brings a full calendar of parish-wide church and school fairs serving up traditional Saturday night gumbo, jambalaya, and white beans with fried fish, alongside classic Sunday plate lunches (barbecued/roasted pork or chicken).
Sweet Treats: Don't forget to stop by the dessert tables—homemade cakes made by local bakers sell out faster than anything else!
Avoyelles Parish Sweet Potatoes
5. Unique Fall Experiences
Plein Air Avoyelles: Artists gather from across the region to paint local landscapes and historic landmarks outdoors in a single day.
A Mange de Moncla: A special food tasting event in the Moncla community featuring 16 tables of homemade local dishes for interactive "grazing."
Sugar Cane & Sweet Potato Harvest: Take a scenic drive through the parish countryside as the sweet potato and sugar cane harvests get underway.
As always, the best way to experience Avoyelles is to get out and meet the people, enjoy the food, and become part of the community.
Plan Your Avoyelles Parish Visit & Get Event Info: https://travelavoyelles.com/
Listen to new episodes and follow the Travel Avoyelles podcast: https://travel-avoyelles.podbean.com/